The Casino School

Episode 5's

Yuuji's last match victory caught the attention of the other students, the most attention-seeking was the new title Yuuji got. It was not a tall throne, but Yuuji who was still sitting in the 1st grade could already match the famous cunning Aoyama. And this is a new record for Aoyama, first time to challenge and lose.

Aoyama's pawn title makes him insecure. Some days choose not to go to school and stay in a dorm room. Yuuji enjoys the victory with his two best friends. Despite that, Yuuji did not stop fighting.

Thanks to his previous success, many of the students invited him to the match and hoped that Yuuji would be overthrown. But Yuuji has learned from the past so he can dispel some dirty tricks while sharpening his judiciary.

Luck does not stop there, every student who challenges him must have a chip that is fairly a lot— considering the cost of the throne he occupies. Automatically when Yuuji wins, his chips accumulate more and more. The majority of the challengers are from class 2 who have always wanted to occupy Fort II and class 3 who want to have the throne before graduation— at least not considered a failure because 3 years do not have a high degree.

After becoming Fort II, the Diamond Class students who originally mocked him began to decrease—even nothing. Yuuji just understood that all chess officials have privileges. One of them is protected from the ridicule of others. No matter how bad the official was, he would be immune from ridicule. Precisely those who insult him often get a penalty in the form of a chip fine or at worst suspended and do not get any more chips despite winning the game.

Yuuji was quite relieved by that. But on the other hand, he should be able to install 2 faces. Because after all, he has become part of the line Jaken and his friends.

Since becoming Fort II, Yuuji has often met Jaken in the throne room. Where they often have lunch together and weekly meetings— usually no important discussion, just get together and chat normally, then disperse. Although Jaken and his friends are reluctant to accept Yuuji's position now, they still try to talk to Yuuji and take him to several meetings.

"Face 2 makes you tired" Yuuji complained to Hiro and Kenji at lunch. This time Yuuji did not go to lunch anymore, he had run away from the official meeting for a week. No one is looking for it, maybe because Yuuji is not wanted or there is nothing important to discuss together.

"Where is your new life, Lord of Fort II?" ledek Kenji chews on his sandwich. Yuuji looked up with a bete face, he chose to look around that the days still remain the same,—many are gambling.

"Would you try to fight them again?" hiro asked following Yuuji's gaze. "I want to, but many refuse. Though if I'm loud, they don't need to give you a big bid," replied Yuuji rather disappointed.

It is true, ever since he became Fort II, many have rejected his challenge. Either out of fear or unwilling to place more bets. Actually during the fight with the pawn, the price of free chips is determined how much. Just like when pawns fight each other, they place the bet amount as they please.

It felt like Yuuji's life was slowly starting to become bland. There was no challenge and he just sat sweetly while waiting for another challenger. Yuuji actually wanted to challenge the other officials, but he knew it wouldn't be that easy. Their flight hours are more than Yuuji's.

"You go up, you get more bored" Yuuji muttered as he tapped on the table.

Kenji looked at Yuuji, he was silent for a moment. "Why don't you try to defeat Fort I first?"

Yuuji turned his head, he frowned confusedly. "Could be? I'm a fortress."

"Could, really. If you win, then the position of Fort II is empty and the school will find a replacement," explained Hiro. Really reliable informant.

"Rather than the higher you are the more bored, try at the bottom position. The lowest rabat, all train themselves and find more information. There must be a characteristic of every official in his position."

Kenji tries to give directions while Yuuji is still processing with the inter-position gambling system. During Yuuji's walk, Kenji becomes the driver and drives where and how Yuuji must step. After all, it did require the usual Yuuji from the road without knowing any more risks ahead.

"Hmm, I've seen Fort I several times in the throne room anyway. But he rarely talked, even the others also did not talk to him," said Yuuji.

Hiro sighed. "I have no more information about him either. Because he said he last played that game before class."

"Hoo, he's 3rd grade now, right?" yuuji asked while remembering the figure of Fort I who always sat next to him during lunch together.

"Yes. Class 3, Heart Class," Hiro replied steadily. Yuuji nodded. He then turned to Kenji, as if asking for enlightenment for the next step.

Kenji himself has no way out. "There was no last match for whom?"

Hiro shook his head in response to Kenji's question. "Ga knows. I'll try to get some more info, huh."

The meeting at their lunch ended with an immature plan. But at least Yuuji had no idea where to go. Currently Yuuji could only search for information while trying to gamble with the pawns again.

...* * *...

Yuuji had collected enough chips to fight Fortress I. He only knew that if he sat on the thrones, every month the officials had to pay half of the price of the throne. For Yuuji himself to pay 100 dollars. So inevitably, they have to gamble to survive.

And when all the officials pay their taxes, here they start gambling. There are those who gamble between positions to help each other, some are down against pawns or positions under him—but most of them are against pawns who are obsessed with the throne.

Utilizing pawns who are fussy with titles becomes their easy way to get chip coffers.

Here too Yuuji got new information about Fort I, where Fort I started to plunge in search of chips for taxes next month. Not much Yuuji knew, but as long as he watched, Fort I was not a person who liked to blend in.

The girl, Fort I, was often in the library. He often gambles and collects a lot of chips, then stops when the chips are enough. For food, the girl ate more often in the throne room or from practical assignments in her Heart— Class of cooks.

It would be nice if he didn't know much. Hiro himself was also quite difficult to dig up information about him. Maybe she is a simple girl?

"But I was horrified, once he gambled, he would find a lot of chips and immediately went on hiatus for several months. Maybe he's looking for chips to pay monthly taxes, huh? It's over, just come back."

Hiro's information and opinion made sense. When recalled, the girl did eat more at lunch together last time.

As the three were grappling with each other's opinions, someone came to him casually. Yang at that time Yuuji sat in the garden of the Spade Class was quite surprised when a figure clad in Diamond Class uniform came to him.

Usually Diamond Class students who come to him are challengers from the class first. But it would be a no-brainer if Yuuji gawked at her.

"...?"

"I have a lot of information about Fort I" said the Diamond Class child standing in front of their bench.

"Who?" yuuji asked as he continued to observe the young man in front of him.

"Tortress I."

"Ga that. You who?"

"Oh-" The young man was silent for a moment, then cleared his throat and confirmed the position of the actual tie was neat. "I'm Fujiyama, call me Fuji. I'm in 2nd grade."

"Ohhh."

Yuuji just paused and then went back to silence and looked at Fuji, as if asking Fuji to continue the conversation. Looking from the look on his face, Fuji was slightly annoyed by Yuuji's response. But somehow the young man was still trying to be kind.

It was realized by the two friends of Yuuji and made them anxious. Because it could be Fuji who is not good and wants to take advantage of Yuuji.

"Thank you for the help, but we're looking for information ourselves, heheh," Kenji said.

Fuji turned towards Kenji, looking down at him. As if to say no-trouble-mixed.

But quickly Kenji and Hiro take Yuuji away. Fuji did not prevent or call him back, the young man just stood up while staring at the triumvirate with a faint smile on his lips.

At Yuuji's place, Yuuji was a little angry with his two best friends. But Kenji was trying to give Yuuji a sense that was quite difficult to understand. Even so, Yuuji bit by bit understood.

"You are Fort II. He's 2nd class, surely already knows the monthly flow of every official here! Don't be fooled, Yuuji! You can be used," explained Kenji again, trying to make sure Yuuji has understood or still dongo.

"Surprisingly again he suddenly came and nawarin information about Fort I. Though we never woro-woro about it, you know," Hiro timpal later.

Yuuji only nodded as his two best friends began to lecture. He can't do anything.

For now, Yuuji just returned to his routine while keeping an eye on Fortress I. Unexpectedly it turns out that Fortress I is typical of people who play fast. He does not want in 1 game to gamble long, less efficient.

In addition, the game played is quite easy—variety of playing games only and several times join the lottery. Seeing that Yuuji was increasingly confused by the way Fortress I played. Is this really the original skill or a trick so that no one knows the tricks of the real game?

This is quite disturbing Yuuji who wants to take the throne of Fort I. But without understanding the co-star, Yuuji could have lost his throne and returned to humiliation. He doesn't want to be a Diamond Class kid. And if his defeat is due to a Heart Class child, then the bully-an that he can be will be more severe than before.

...* * * * *...